Travel Journal, by Margaux !

What are we planning to do? Make your experience at La Bastiane an authentic stay in Provence! Every year, we are the first “tourists” to discover our region to make sure our advices are the best! Margaux has prepared her Travel Journal with advices sheets, downloadable here or on our mobile app. These advices notes describe what we tried and what we loved. Do not hesitate to ask the staff at the reception, at the welcome cocktail, at the restaurant; most of the people in our teams are from the area and will be able to give you good advices to enjoy your holidays.

We have choosen to present you our trips ideas like an itinerary, so you can see how many different activities you can organize during a 15-days stay.

DAY 1 – Provençal open-air market

Still a little bit tired from the travel, this first day of holidays has to be chill. 

Enjoy a walk at Le Muy’s market in the morning (Sunday): stroll through the aisles full of colours and fragrances. You will find some fresh products and souvenirs. Find a selection of other open-air markets on our page The Provençal Markets. On the way back to the campsite, stop in one of the supermarket of Roquebrune sur Argens (open until 12.30 on Sundays): Intermarché, Carrefour Market, Lidl.

Back at the campsite, after a fresh salad, enjoy the swimming pool to relax and sunbath. Or, for the bravest, enjoy a French balls challenge in the shade of the oak-tree. Don’t miss the welcome cocktail around 6.00PM with the animation team (on Sunday in july/august). Have diner in our restaurant La Taverne de Corto.

DAY 2 – First sea bath

To work out the suntan and play with children, let’s go to the Esclamandes’ beach on Saint Aygulf. A sandy beach, lifeguard surveillance, with a big car park (paid in summer, around 1.60€/hour) where you can do many activities like jet ski, tubing… and have a drink or lunch in one of the “paillote”, we recommend:

• The Kokonut Plage : book your sunbeds
• Bleu&Blanc beach : book, especially in summer

If you prefer a discreet beach, less crowdy, drive to Sainte Maxime and stop around Les Issambres. Park on the side of the road and you will find some beautiful coves, sometimes rocky but perfect for snorkelling. We highly recommend stopping at the “Vivier Gallo-Romain”. For a secluded private beach, we recommend the KALMOS K’FE (book in summer).

Dogs are allowed on Esclamandes beach in Saint Aygulf, around the mouth of Argens river (on the very left side); and in the coves if they stay quiet.

Have a look at the map of the beaches  “De Rivages en Calanques”

DAY 3 – Do You Do Saint Tropez

Shuttle boat from Sainte Maxime (Bateaux Verts 15min) or Les Issambres, visit the famous port, the market on Place des Lices (Tuesday and Saturday), the citadel and its amazing panoramic view on Saint Tropez Golf! To finish, stop at the cinema museum in the old gendarmerie… The famous city of Brigitte Bardot has a lot to offer, more than we think actually! Except yachts at the harbour, and famous people having a drink on the terrace, Saint Tropez has many other advantages.

Download our advices sheet to enjoy a day in Saint Tropez.

DAY 4 – The ancient Rome

A little bit of history and culture! Fréjus is a modern city, had a key location at a time of ancient Rome, there are many places that you cannot miss!

Pour une touche d’histoire et un brin de culture, partez à la découverte de Fréjus. Ville moderne, stratégique à l’époque de la Rome antique, plusieurs endroits sont immanquables ! Visit the Gallo Roman ruins in the historical center of Fréjus:  Amphitheater, Aqueduc, Cathedral complex… The tourist office proposes many guided tours throughout the year: have a look at their program. Don’t forget the open-air market on Wednesdays and Saturdays mornings.

Follow our advices sheet to explore Fréjus, even many times during your stay.

DAY 5 – The Grand Canyon

Day trip in the Gorges du Verdon, only 1h30 drive from the campsite, for a fresh stop at Sainte-Croix Lake: must-see during a stay at La Bastiane! Program of the day: swimming, pedalo, kayak or stand-up paddle, depends what you like, visit villages of Provence.  Stop mandatory in one of the most beautiful village in France : Moustiers Sainte Marie. 

Discover our advices note to have a memorable day at Sainte-Croix Lake.

For the most adventurous, contact Aquabond Rafting for a canyoning or rafting trip.

DAY 6 – Saint Aygulf

Go for an outdoor walk around the village of Saint Aygulf with a stop at the open-air provençal market (on Tuesday and Friday morning). Then, choose between 2 easy family hikes:

• Villepey ponds: discover a protected natural area and birds observatory.
• The seaside walk: walk along the seaside from the port of Saint Aygulf, it is possible to stop and swim in the rocks or coves.

Dogs are allowed, on a lead, at Villepey ponds and on the seaside walk. If you want to have lunch or just a drink, we recommend KOKONUT PLAGE.

>Discover the hiking itineraries.

DAY 7 – Golden islands

Day trip to visit one of the 3 islands of the archipelago:

• Porquerolles, the most famous thanks to its wonderful beaches
• Port Cros, the wildest, a National Park
• Levant, its naturist village and its natural reserve

To know more about this must-see archipelago, download our advices sheet and go for an amazing day on Porquerolles island. Access, wheather forecast, events, go on the tourist office website.

DAY 8 – The Wine Route

Visit of cellars and discover many vineyards to try the famous Rosé de Provence. More info on our page The Wine Route.

DAY 9 – Pays de Fayence

Pays de Fayence is : 9 hilltop villages, Saint Cassien Lake and some rivers like the Siagne. Go for day or more to discover these picturesques villages. Download our advices note for a day trip mixing fresh break at Saint Cassien Lake and heritage in some villages.

Some itineraries are perfect for a bike tour, around the lake for example with our partner MoovBike. More information at the reception. Another activity: Pont des Tuves hiking, water will always be cold but so beautiful!

It is also easy to add the visit of Grasse city and its perfums shops like Fragonard.

For more information, have a look at the Pays de Fayence tourist office website.

DAY 10 – Cannes and its islands

Cannes is much more than the Film Festival! Its old city, on the top of a hill offers a panoramic view on the islands after a morning walking in the alleys of Forville market… For the afternoon, 2 possibilities:

1. For a green and seaside tourism, jump aboard a Trans Côte d’Azur shuttle boat to discover Lérins islands. Sainte Marguerite island, the wildest with an Alep pine trees forest, is famous for hidden the man with the Iron mask. Or Saint Honorat island, more authentic, with a fortified monastery and Lerins Abbey.
2. On the footsteps of the cinema, take the little touristic train or walk in the city to find the famous painted walls, and finish the day with a memorable shopping!

Whatever you choose, your day will be, once again, fantastic on the Côte d’Azur ; download our advices note!

More information on Cannes tourist office website.

DAY 11 – Nice & Monaco

Go for a day trip with a first stop in Nice in the old city to walk in the alleys of its famous flower market (except on Monday) and its colorfull narrow streets. Don’t forget to walk on the castle hilltop where you will be fascinated by the view on the famous Promenade des Anglais on the first side and on Nice port on the other side. Go back in the car and drive along the coast until Monaco, it worth it ! Discover Monaco: the rock, the palace, the amazing oceanic museum, the cathedral… gardens and parks, Monte Carlo casino, the amzing yachts… Download our advices sheet to get some tips.

More information on Visit Monaco website or the reception desk.

DAY 12 – La Corniche d’Or

Start the day with a beautiful hike from the Débarquement beach to the Cap Dramont, with a wonderful view on Agay bay and Fréjus golf. Have lunch in Agay, at La belle vie café then discover the famous road of the Corniche d’or and Les Calanques de l’Estérel. Film location of famous movies, it is a must-see during a stay on the French Riviera: the red rocks of the Estérel falling in the Mediterranean sea give many different blue shades… Down the road, many coves are easy to access and perfect for chilling and/or snorkelling. On your way back, stop again in Agay and enjoy an ice-cream at Le Moka d’Or.

Have a look on the beaches map “De Rivages en Calanques”

DAY 13 – Roquebrune sur Argens

Last day of holidays, no need to go very far, the picturesque village of Roquebrune sur Argens has a lot to offer! La Maison du Terroir, the chocolate museum, the heritage museum… Many guided tours are organized with the tourist office, even some made for kids! For a nice afternoon, enjoy a canoe trip on the Argens river to the feet of the Rock with our partner La Base du Rocher. End the afternoon at L’îlot Bar to enjoy a drink on the lake.

Download our advice note for a beautiful day in Roquebrune-sur-Argens.

A last quick tip: depending the activities you plan to do during your holidays, have a look at the Pass Côte d’Azur. It can be a good money saver on your visits and activities dring your stay. On sale on their website or at the reception desk.